Although I haven’t been on air at QVC, I’ve had another busy week, starting with last Saturday. I was planning to visit Daniel in Swansea, as he hadn’t been feeling too well, but before I left I needed to sign and pack all the copies of ‘Life’s a Beach and Then…’ ready for delivery to QVC.

Fortunately, both Chris and Sophie were on hand to help so we had a little production line going. It wasn’t as daunting as signing the five thousand copies of ‘One Hundred Lengths of the Pool’ and also better doing it in the comfort of my own home.

They were delivered to QVC on Wednesday and you should be able to order now on this item number: 705211. They are all signed copies for QVC and the price is £11 including P&P. If you didn’t already know, I am making a donation from each book sold to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, so you will be helping this wonderful charity if you decide to buy. Here is a statement from them:

Caitlin O’Neill, Regional Manager for London and the South East, says:

“We are delighted that Julia has chosen to support Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research by generously making a donation to our work from each book sold. Every penny raised will help us in our mission to beat blood cancer, stopping people from dying and making patients’ lives better.”

I also filmed a little piece with Will Gowing to give you a brief idea of the storyline.

Thanks so much to those of you who have already bought the book and especially if you took part in the eBook promotion last weekend. I was gobsmacked that the book climbed to number 28 in the Kindle Romance charts – really incredible!

So, after my book signing/packing session, I hit the M4 for the drive down to Wales. I arrived just after eight in drizzling rain but Sunday was lovely and sunny. After watching Daniel’s academy boys in a training match we had lunch and then drove down to Mumbles. Many of you on here have suggested I try Joe’s ice-cream and it was the perfect day for it. I can honestly say it is the nicest ice-cream I’ve tasted in ages!

Unfortunately the weather changed on Monday, which was actually quite a good thing as I needed to get on with writing the sequel to ‘Life’s a Beach and Then…’ which I’m hoping to have ready for publication in November. Over the course of two and a half rainy days in Swansea I wrote 6,500 words – I really get stuck in when I have no other distractions!

Daniel was feeling a bit better when I left but I was nervous to open the text message he sent me this morning. I needn’t have been, it just said, ‘It’s beautiful sunshine today! x’

Next week is my mum’s 89th birthday. We will go up to Nottingham to see her next Saturday with her birthday presents, one of which will be a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Let me explain. She has been diagnosed with plantar faciitis (painful shooting pains in her heels), which my other half was diagnosed with a few years back. I bought him some Birkenstocks and within two weeks the problem had disappeared, so I’m hoping for a similar reaction for my mum. She’ll also be getting some Liz Earle goodies – her favourite – and I guess I’ll have to make her a chocolate birthday cake… yummy!

Speaking of Nottingham, if you live in my home town there is a piece about me in the Nottingham Post this Saturday if you’d like to read it.

Well, I was in at QVC yesterday but not on air. I was recording a show with Simon Wilson for the QVC Style channel prior to his anniversary shows. Do remember the competition to win the fabulous ruby and citrine earrings, valued at £1000, is running on last week’s blog until 20th August. Simon said he had some people ringing his shop unsure of how to enter. Just post a reply on last week’s blog with the answer to the question and you will be entered in the draw. How appropriate that Simon was in this dressing room yesterday!!

There are no rubies in Spotlight on Jewellery today but we do have some real gemset jewellery, along with today’s featured brand Bibi Bijoux and also some stunning, contemporary silver designs from Taxco. I hope you will join me for that show at 6pm and also for Ronni Nicole at 2pm and Fashion on Friday, featuring Kipling, at 5pm.

One show to especially look out for in the coming week is the two-hour Autumn Catwalk Show on Thursday at 6pm. where we will be previewing our fashion event which starts next Friday.

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10 Comments

Your poor Mum, I developed plantar fasciitis about five weeks ago and have realised I really need to look after my feet more. Birkenstocks help a little but I’m thinking of trying a pair of Vionic shoes as well . I hope it settles down for her.

Hello Jane
I’m sorry to hear you are suffering the same problem as my mum – hope it settles down for you too. Took a couple of weeks for my Chris to feel the benefit of his Birkenstocks but he has never suffered with it since.
Love
Julia x

Wow that is an awful lot of books to sign, good thing you had a good production team to help out.

Hope your Mum has a great birthday, best wishes to her, you have some great presents for her, and I am sure your Chocolate Cake will go down well.

Wonderful Charity you are making a donation to from each book. I ordered my book today from QVC, looking forward to reading it, you have certainly been busy writing your next one.

Oh my Lillies came out, still some buds, I had some White ones, and I wouldn’t say red, but more a deep Aubergine, they are beautiful, so tall, and loads of flowers, wind blew them over a few times, luckily they did not break.

Hello Jean
Thanks for ordering my book – let me know what you think when you have had time to read it.
I’m pleased your lilies came out and that you are happy with them. One lot of mine are looking a bit sorry for themselves – I think it is all the rain and lack of sunshine.
Looking forward to seeing my mum on Saturday but wondering when I’m going to make her cake! Tomorrow morning before work I guess. She wants a quiche for her lunch too – I’ll need to be up at the crack of dawn!
Speak soon
Julia x

Hi Julia,
You always seem to visit Wales when it rains. (Or are you bringing the rain with you? LOL)
It is a beautiful sunny day today (Saturday). The sun is shining on us for the rugby. We have a couple of “friendlies” lined up ahead of the World Cup in the Autumn. Wales are playing Ireland this afternoon. So we’ve got something to look forward to, if our nerves hold up!!
I’m sorry to hear about your mum’s problem with Plantar Fasciitus. I can totally empathise with her I suffered with it some years ago and still get twinges now and then. I visited the Orthotic drop in centre near where I live. His gave me various exercises and Orthotic insoles. I was wearing my Birkenstocks at the time and he said they were the best things to wear for that problem. The only thing he said was as I was wearing the toe-post ones that these are not advisable because they were forming hard skin between the toes. I even had Cortisone injections as it was so bad. Normally we are advised to exercise with other problems such as bad backs but my G.P. told me to rest up as much as possible. Anyway I hope your mum find ‘s some relief with wearing the Birkenstocks.
Well I’m off as I’ve got things to do before the game. Wish us luck!!!
Take care, Tina S. x

Hi Tina
I hope the game was enjoyable and went to plan? I brought the sunshine with me last time I was in Wales but unfortunately it only lasted a day!
My mum has been given exercises to do but they haven’t had much effect yet so really hoping the Birkenstocks work for her – I didn’t get toe-post as I don’t think she would like them. Keep you fingers crossed.
Daniel is home for a few days this weekend to dry out (only joking!!!)
Speak soon
Julia x

Hi Julia, it seems we have something in common, both our son’s are passionate members of staff at the Swansea academy and have become good friends. I have not met Daniel myself but am told what a great guy he is, you must be very proud.
I really wanted to say a personal thank you for signing your book for me, I am up to chapter 20 and all I can say is congratulations !!! I am hooked, can not put it down.
Keep up the good work, will be looking forward to the news of a sequel being released.

Hello Sharon
How lovely to hear from you on here – what a surprise! I’d brought a few books down to Swansea to place at Uplands book shop so Daniel commandeered one of those when Adam said you would like one.
I’m so pleased that Adam and the other lads have made Daniel feel so welcome – it was a big move for him so making new friends has made it that much easier.
Really chuffed that you are enjoying reading my book – let me know what you think once you’ve finished it.
Dan is home for a couple of days this weekend but I’ll probably be back down to Swansea soon as I can really crack on with my writing with no distractions. Maybe we can persuade the boys to take us out for dinner?
Love
Julia x